Pre-Op Testing

I went and had my blood work,EKG and chest X-ray done today...woohooo..thats taken care of...Now I just need to pay my part of the bill approx $630..Ill do that after I write this post....

One of the nurses that I had today had gastric bypass done 3 years ago....according to her she has only lost 80 pounds and she was still very large...I know that 80 pounds is a great accomplishment...but I hear soo many success stories on this site that I forget that there are those that dont meet goal..I wanted to say "what are you doing wrong"...not because I was trying to "reprimand" her...hell Im a heffer..I have no reason to talk..but I wanted to know what she was/wasnt doing...so that I wouldnt fall into the same trap..

I felt bad for thinking that way and then my self doubt kicked in...damn, what if I dont meet my goal..what if I get it done and I f*ck up...yeah, Im sure this goes through a lot of peoples minds before surgery....

So the count down begins...11 days

Wow!  That is discouraging I thought everyone lost alot of weight, at least I plan to.  Perhaps she had other issues like a thyroid problem or something, something that would impact her weight loss other than what she eats.   Mostly everyone I have ever met even before OH, has lost a tremendous amount of weight and I am confident we will do the same!! Hang in there!! 

Although there are many common experiences amongst those who have had weight loss surgery, it is still a very personal experience. There may be some very good reasons to explain the nurse's success to-date. As was suggested, she may have some particular medical issues and 80 lbs. may be terrific for her given those challenges. It was made very clear to me as I prepared for this surgery that surgery is not a magic bullet. The surgery is just a tool. You have to do the work that goes along with it. I have heard from other people who have had the surgery, lost a lot of weight and then gained a lot back. They tended not to follow the rules. That is why I continue to attend support groups, participate in these message boards, etc. The surgery made it easier for me physically to lose weight by setting limits, but my "fat" brain is still there. It makes its' presence known to me from time to time. Hopefully, it will get better for all of us with time. Still from my persepctive, I am so much better off with the surgery than without. I do not regret my decision at all. Best Wishes, Debbie

Heather: It is so similar to something that happened to me when I went for my chest x-ray.  The intake person says, so your having bypass surgery are you excited.  Of course I answered yes.  She said, I had it about 2 years ago.  I really looked at her then ~ she didn't look like she had surgery (god forgive me, because I have no room to talk about anyone else).  She was training someone at the desk so I didn't say anything.  She got up to walk me back to the procedure room and I had a chance to ask how much she had lost and she said about 70 lbs.  I told her that was great.  I don't think she was really feeling good about her outcome and proceeded to tell me that she had done a lot of things that she shouldn't have.  This operation is not a cure-all.  It is a tool and we must use it properly.  I tell myself that every day.  I don't want to fail.  I feel like this is my last chance and even though the scale is moving more slowly than most people on this site, it's still moving!

We all went through what you're thinking and, yes, it is a possibility that you won't lose the weight you want (for whatever reason).  WLS is a big, scary and very adult choice that you need to come to terms with.  Keep in mind that this is a complete life style change.  I assume the nurse did not make the leap and has paid the price for it.  Personally, I think you've taken the one best step and that is to be active in a support group, whether it is in person once per week or month or online like OH.   And this is just the beginning for you.  I'm almost a year out and am in your shoes again.  I've reached goal (I'm actually below goal!) and wonder whether I can maintain it the rest of my life.  I'm trying like hell but it is a constant battle.  There's always the "I can have [insert food here] because it is okay if I gain a pound or two" or the "I can skip Tae Kwon Do tonight because I don't need the exercise."  YIKES!  I'm winning the battle so far but what does the future hold?  Is there a point where I become lazy and end up like the nurse?  Talk about self doubt!!  I think the point to my rambling is that it NEVER gets easy and that is something we all have to live with.  That's why we need each other!! --Eric

Eric...i thought that you were Mr. Rogers there for a second (WLS is a big, scary and very adult choice that you need to come to terms with. )..lmao...and soo are the skeletons in my closet...lol...

I can understand where you are coming from with the food eaten..excersize..etc..Ive lost weight and sabotaged myself that way as well.."rewarding" myself for a good deed..

Im hoping my doubt will go away..maybe it wont until I start seeing results...we will see!!!

Heather

You are doing the, "What If's" and we all have done this.  I know you well enough that you can stay focused on this. You will do great.  This is not an easy out by any means, we will all work our ass to the bone trying to keep it off.  We all have been give the tool it is how we use it.  I made a vow to myself that, " I will NEVER go back".  I don't want diabetes, high blood pressure, etc........  Make a list of the reasons you are doing this and put it on the fridge.  I am 9 months post of and have made goal but I personally want to loss more.  This is all about your goal as well.  I know you, you have the will in you and you have been fighting like mad to get this done.  You will continue to be a fighter.  Time to kick ass! 

I am going to come to the hospital and kiss you with hooker RED Lip Stick all over your face, while you are sleeping and when you wake up you will know I was there!  I told Donna I am going to do the same thing to her. LMAO

Hugs Kristen

Dan please tell Heather about our Monkey and squirrel.

Shyt...I deleted my damn post